Where was season 1 of Olympo filmed? Spoiler: it’s in Spain!

The new Spanish series Olympo arrives on Netflix with its sculptural athletes and fiery sports intrigue. Produced by the creators of Elite, this drama follows Zoe, a heptathlete who joins an elite training center in the Pyrenees. Between sweat, rivalries, and secrets from the past, the series focuses on the authenticity of its settings. Spoiler alert: no need to look far, the action takes place entirely on Spanish soil.

Madrid, the main playground for the athletes of Olympo

The Spanish capital stands out as the central setting for this Netflix production. Madrid offers a modern urban aesthetic perfectly suited to the demands of a contemporary series about elite sports.

The Santo Domingo Municipal Stadium in Alcorcón becomes the beating heart of the plot. This sports facility in the Madrid suburbs hosts the most intense training sequences. The producers chose this location for its authenticity: no artificial sets, but real equipment used by real athletes.

Madrid offers this undeniable technical advantage for film crews. The city boasts a developed audiovisual ecosystem, with studios, experienced technicians, and logistical facilities. The creators of Elite know this terrain perfectly, which explains their natural choice.

A marathon four-month shoot in the capital

The cameras rolled between August and December 2024, taking advantage of the favorable weather conditions of the Madrid autumn. This period allows for the capture of different lighting moods, from the summer heat to the first cold of winter. Clara Galle, who plays Amaia Olaberria, attests to the physical intensity of the Madrid shoot. The actress underwent specific synchronized dance and gymnastics training directly on set. This preparation was essential to give her character credibility in the face of the real athletes included in the cast.Panticosa, the Pyrenean setting that enhances the fiction

Director

Panticosa

, a small town in the province of Huesca in Aragon. This mountain destination brings the epic dimension necessary to the story. The Spanish Pyrenees offer magnificent landscapes that transform athletic training into a truly heroic quest. Panticosa hides a fascinating history. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this spa town attracted the European elite who came to enjoy the healing properties of its mountain waters. Medical authorities of the time praised their benefits for liver and skin conditions. The perfectly preserved Belle Époque buildings create a unique atmosphere blending tradition and modernity. The directors cleverly exploit this visual contrast: on one side, the centuries-old thermal history, on the other, the ultra-modern athletes in search of performance.The Balneario de Panticosa, an exceptional natural plateau

Perched at an altitude of 1,636 meters, the Balneario de Panticosa becomes a character in its own right in the series. This high-end thermal hotel located on the Carretera Balneario offers an exceptional cinematic setting, surrounded by the Pyrenean peaks.

The establishment naturally offers the full range of sporting activities featured in the series: mountain biking, hiking, water sports, and winter cross-country skiing. This sporting versatility perfectly fits the story needs of a series focused on multidisciplinary training.

Spain, a strategic choice for a Netflix production

Netflix has been betting heavily on Spanish content since the phenomenal success of Elite and Money Heist. Olympo is part of this strategy of expanding its Spanish-language catalog, which is particularly profitable in international markets.Spain offers considerable economic advantages for audiovisual productions. Filming costs remain lower than in other European countries, while technical infrastructure achieves high professional standards. The Spanish public aid system also encourages the establishment of foreign productions.

Spain’s geographical diversity allows for filming in varied locations without costly travel. Between urban Madrid and mountainous Panticosa, the teams have a sufficient visual range to build the series’ universe.

An international cast trained in Spain’s natural environment

The actors of Olympo benefited from Spain’s sports infrastructure for their physical preparation. This total immersion in the Iberian sporting environment reinforces the authenticity of the on-screen performances. Spain boasts a wealth of audiovisual expertise, thanks to numerous local and international productions. This accumulated expertise allows film crews to work efficiently, respecting the tight budgets and schedules imposed by Netflix.